Colorado programs for cancer survivors, which have drafted off cycling legend Lance Armstrong's monumental fundraising efforts, expressed belief — or at least hope — that his decision to drop his defense against doping allegations won't affect their long-range work.

Armstrong's foundation in 2006 funded a $1.7 million grant over five years to the University of Colorado Cancer Center, which became one of eight institutions in the U.S. that make up the invitation-only Livestrong Survivorship Center of Excellence Network.

The CU program still receives $220,000 annually.

Three five-year grants of nearly $250,000 launched community affiliates at cancer centers in Pueblo, Grand Junction and at Denver Health — and smaller subsequent grants continue to fund their materials and programs.

Dr. Linda Overholser, co-director of the CU network, said she doesn't believe the stunning news on the sports front — the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency says it has stripped Armstrong of his seven Tour de France titles — will take away from the program that offers resources to an estimated 215,000 cancer survivors in Colorado.

"The mission of the Lance Armstrong Foundation is to improve the quality of life as someone is going through and living beyond cancer treatment," she said. "It's a critical question regardless of what's going on with the Tour de France and all that media. It's a mission we're devoted to and will definitely continue."

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The ramifications of Armstrong's announcement, which include a lifetime ban from competitive cycling, probably won't spill over into his work with cancer survivors, said Blaine Rollins, a Denver investment manager who serves on the board of directors for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

"It's been kind of dragging on for years, ever since the '60 Minutes' story was probably the first big focus area," said Rollins, a cancer survivor who drew motivation from Armstrong's cycling victories. "We didn't have any ill effect at the foundation from that, nor have we since then. It's definitely something that we all have to think about and put it in the what-if scenario.

"But Livestrong is much bigger than Lance."

Debra Hesse, program coordinator at St. Mary's Regional Cancer Center in Grand Junction, expressed confidence that while Armstrong's notoriety as a cyclist created the platform he has used for his philanthropy, the decision that could strip him of his victories probably won't trickle down to the programs he helped create.

"I really think the cancer industry is separate from bicycling," said Hesse. "I know he'll continue to work toward making the world a better place. And I know we'll continue to benefit from the foundation as long as his organization exists."

Hesse, a 13-year melanoma survivor, was volunteering in the library at St. Mary's when she found and read the book "It's Not About the Bike," which details Armstrong's improbable victory against cancer. Later, when the grant from his foundation opened the survivorship program, she applied to become director.

"And now it's my career — because of Lance Armstrong," she said. "He just poured money and resources into our cancer center. It was a major vision of his foundation to start survivorship programs. Back then, it was an unheard-of word."

Armstrong's announcement that he would no longer fight the doping allegations arrived just as Rochelle Wristen, marketing and communications director at Pueblo's St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center, received an e-mail invitation to Live-strong's 15-year celebration and fundraiser in Austin.

"I'm hoping that his decision won't affect the role his foundation plays in the community, especially with the economy the way it is," Wristen said. "There's definitely buzz; people are talking about it. From a hospital perspective, and how this shakes down to future support, only time will tell."

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